Psychotherapeutic work with dementia sufferers

Journal/Book: J Soc Work Practice. 1998; 12: PO Box 25, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England Ox14 3Ue. Carfax Publ Co. 199-207.

Abstract: This article argues that good dementia care must inevitably be psychotherapeutic in the sense of addressing emotional as well as physical needs. Three key aspects of psychotherapeutic work with dementia sufferers are identified: helping the dementia sufferer to grieve for the multiple losses that they have suffered and which are yet to come; bearing witness to this process; and attending to the context of care. These themes are then illustrated through a case example. Although formal psychotherapeutic work with individuals and in groups can be extremely useful, counselling skills can also be used as part of a general care plan. In many ways it is more important to think in terms of being psychotherapeutic in dementia care, rather than in terms of doing psychotherapy with dementia sufferers.

Note: Article Cheston R, Bath Mental Hlth Care Trust Psychol Agcy, Charter House, Trowbridge BA14 8LS, Wilts, ENGLAND

Keyword(s): ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

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